LEAVENWORTH, KAN. - The University of Saint Mary women's basketball team made a statement in their KCAC home opener, defeating Bethel College 77-63. The Spires jumped out to a commanding 15-5 lead in the first quarter and never trailed, securing their first conference win of the season.

Key Performances

Alanis Delgado led the way for Saint Mary with a team-high 17 points on efficient 6-for-11 shooting, including 3-for-6 from three-point range. She also contributed seven rebounds and three assists, helping the Spires control the pace. Demi Aamold added 15 points and drilled three three-pointers, while Addison Schletzbaum came off the bench to dominate the glass with a game-high 12 rebounds and chipped in 11 points for a double-double.

Katelynn Ostronic was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, adding nine points and seven rebounds, while Addison Tower provided a spark off the bench with seven points, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free-throw line.

Key Plays and Momentum

Saint Mary's defense set the tone early, holding Bethel to just 13 first-quarter points while scoring 19. In the second quarter, the Spires' bench stepped up, helping extend the lead to 41-23 by halftime. Though Bethel mounted a small comeback in the third quarter with a 23-point outburst, the Spires responded in the fourth, outscoring the Threshers 19-17 to seal the win.

Team Statistics

• Rebounding Domination: Saint Mary out-rebounded Bethel 44-28, including 17 offensive boards that led to a 24-5 advantage in second-chance points.
• Free Throw Efficiency: The Spires were lights out at the line, hitting 88.2% (15-of-17), compared to Bethel's 68.4% (13-of-19).
• Bench Production: Saint Mary's reserves outscored Bethel's bench 29-11, with significant contributions from Schletzbaum and Tower.

What's Next

With the victory, Saint Mary improves to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Spires will look to build on this momentum as they host York next Wednesday, November 20th at 6pm for their next KCAC matchup.